Device for producing a buzz effect.



R. H. MAYLAND.

DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A BUZZ EFFECT.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2.1914.

1,150,447. Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

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R. H. MAYLAND.

DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A BUZZ EFFECT- APPLICATION FILED APR.2. 1914,

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

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COLUMBIA PLANOORAXH co., WASHINGTON, A). c7

ROWLAND H. MAYLAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR PRODUCING A BUZZ EFFECT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

Application filed April 2v 1914. Serial No. 828,999.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROWLAND I-I. MAY- LAND,a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county ofKings, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Devices for Producing a Buzz Effect, of which thefollowing is a clear, full, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to provide a practical and advantageousmeans for obtaining a buzz effect accompanying the production of amusical note, either by means of a resonator properly equipped, or in anorgan or pipe, that is to say an element providing a resonant aircolumn. The present popular demand for a certain type of music hascreated a demand for a different effect than that produced by a cleartone.

In a practical application of the invention to tubular resonators, suchas are used, for example, in Xylophones, the bottom of the resonator,instead of being permanently closed, is provided with an opening closedby a. thin mica disk held in position by a perforated supporting plateand a retaining spring, the diaphragm being capable of being vibratedupon the vibration of the air column in the resonator to produce thebuzz effect. The device may be similarly applied, at .a suitable point,on an organ pipe.

IVhile the foregoing is the preferred construction, the inventioncomprises a number of features in which variation is permissible and notall of which need be utilized in each instance in conjunction with theremainder.

The scope of my invention will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation partly insection of my improved device as applied to a Xylophone. Fig. 2 is avertical transverse section through Fig. 1, one of the resonators beingshown in section and the bar thereover in elevation. Fig. 8 is a bottomplan of the resonator tube or the closed end of an organ pipe. Fig. 4 isa sectional view of the rubber gasket. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of themica buzz diaphragm. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the retaining cup andspring retaining element. Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in sectionof an organ pipe provided with the device of my invention.

As shown in the drawings: 1 is an ordinary Xylophone bar capable ofbeing struck with a hammer to emit a definite tone.

Immediately beneath the center of the bar a resonator tube 2 is located,the air column inclosed by the tube being in tune with the particularbar above the same. The in terior of the tube is partly closed at thebottom by a wall 4 preferably of metal having a central opening 5.

The wall a is an extension of a cylindrical shell 6 having a turned-overedge or abutment 7, which is formed with an opening at S. The buzzdevice is disposed within the chamber thus afforded and comprises thebuzz retaining cup or support 9 with numerous perforations 10 in itsbottom fastened by a stud 11 to a retaining spring 12 pivoted on thescrew 13.

A mica disk 14 is adapted to rest within the cup 9, and a rubber ring orcompressible gasket 15 having a central opening 16 fits within the cupupon the diaphragm. The buzz device is inserted through the open end ofthe shell 6, introduction of the retaining spring 12 being permitted bythe opening 8, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and the springbeing then turned so as to bear against the inner side of the flange, asshown in full lines in said view and in Fig. 2. The device is then readyfor operation.

In Fig. 7, I have shown the same device shown in the other figuresapplied to a. closed organ pipe, but it is to be understood that theinvention is applicable to other forms of organ pipe.

It will be understood that I do not limit myself to the preciseconstruction shown and described, and that various changes arepermissible within the scope of the invention, as indicated by theappended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. In a. musical instrui'nent, the combinationwith means providing a resonant air column, said means being formed withan opening into said air column; of a diaphragm of mica closing saidopening and adapted to be vibrated by the vibration of the air column toproduce a buzz effect.

2. In a musical instrument, the combination with means providing aresonant air column, of a diaphragm of mica closing an opening thereinand adapted to be vibrated by the vibration of the air column to producea buzz effect, a support adapted to hold the diaphragm in place, and aretaining spring act-ing upon said support.

3. In a musical instrument, the combination with means providing aresonant air column, of a diaphragm of mica closing an opening thereinand adapted to be vibrated by the vibration of the air column to producea buzz effect, and means for holding said diaphragm in place comprisinga perforated supporting plate against which the diaphragm rests at itsouter side.

4-. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, and means forming a chamber communicating by anopening with said air column, of a buzz producer in said chambercomprising a diaphragm and means holding the same in place closing saidopening so as to be vibrated by the vibration of the air column.

5. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening, of a diaphragmclosing said opening, and a perforated support against which the outerside of said diaphragm rests.

6. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening, of a diaphragmclosing said opening, a compressible gasket interposed between thediaphragm and the portion of the element having said opening, and meansexerting presure on the diaphragm to hold the same against the gasket.

7. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening, of a diaphragmclosing said opening, a compressible gasket interposed between thediaphragm and the region surrounding said opening, a support at theouter side of the diaphragm, and a spring retainer acting upon saidsupport to press the diaphragm against the gasket.

8. In a musical instrument, the combina tion with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening, of a buzz producercomprising a cup, and a diaphragm held therein closing said opening soas to be vibrated by vibration of the air column.

9. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening,

of a buzz producer comprising a cup having a perforated bottom, and adiaphragm held in the cup against said perforated bottom and closingsaid opening so as to be vibrated by vibration of the air column.

10. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening, of a buzz producercomprising a cup having a perforated bottom, a diaphragm held in the cupagainst said perforated bottom and closing said opening so as to bevibrated by vibration of the air column, and a spring retainer securedto said cup and cooperating with a suitable abutment.

11. In a musical instrument, the combination with a tube providing avibratory air column, of a shell within the end of said tube having aninner wall provided with an opening, and a buzz device within said shellcomprising a diaphragm and means for holding the same in positionclosing said opening so as to be vibrated by vibration of the aircolumn.

12. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, of a diaphragm closing an opening in said elementso as to be vibrated by vibration of the air column, and spring meansfor holding said diaphragm in place.

13. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening and means forming achamber at the outer side thereof, of a buzz device in said chambercomprising a vibratory diaphragm closing said opening, a support at theouter side of said diaphragm, and a retaining spring acting upon saidsupport.

14. In a musical instrument, the combination with an element providing aresonant air column, said element having an opening and means forming achamber at the outer side thereof, said chamber having an entranceopposite said opening and a retaining abutment, of a buzz devicecomprising a diaphragm with support insertible through the entrance ofsaid chamber to close said opening, and a spring retainer connected tosaid support.

Signed at New York city, New York, this 1st day of April, 1914.

ROWLAND H. MAYLAND. lVitnesses:

MABEL DITTENHOEFER, ROBERT RICHTER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

